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Video Game Helps NASCAR Rookie Win

Sierra couldn't buy better publicity if it tried. Well, maybe it could, but that's beside the point. Denny Hamlin, a 25-year-old NASCAR rookie, took part in the Nextel Cup at the Pocono Raceway for the first time and won it. Hamlin's win is spectacular in more ways than one. Not only did Hamlin have to deal with a blown tire which sent his car spinning, but it was also his very first time driving on the Pocono Raceway -- at least in real life.

Hamlin is one of a handful of professional NASCAR racers who regularly use Sierra's NASCAR Racing 2003 Season to hone their skills. While newer versions of NASCAR Racing have been released by EA in the past few years, none of have matched the level of sim-like realism found in NASCAR Racing 2003. This is because it's the last game in the series to be developed by Papyrus, the same company behind Grand Prix Legends and Indianapolis 500: The Simulation.

After scoring his big win on Sunday, Hamlin told the AP News about how his time playing video games helped him out, saying, "They got every tree on the site, everything's mapped out perfect. Visually, I know where my letoff points are." He added, "I honestly didn't think it would be this easy." According to AP News, Hamlin raced through the Pocono Raceway, virtually, for three hours a day to prepare himself for the real thing. Stories like this are not uncommon. A few years ago a naval trainee aced his first flying test after practicing on Microsoft Flight Simulator.

CORRECTION: Our News Editor dropped the ball and got EA mixed up with Sierra. Appropriate action has been taken to ensure he never makes the mistake again (and may or may not involve flogging). Thanks to all of those who wrote in pointing out the error.